Hello everyone! We're Momoka Tanaka, Manaka Nakatani, and Moe Sakurai, fourth-year Global Tourism students. On September 13th, we held an event for “Mio Ramen”—a local ramen developed in collaboration with Mihama Town, Wakayama Prefecture—at the Canada Pavilion of the Expo 2025 Osaka! We were joined by third-year students Suzuha Domoto and Rino Masui, and second-year students Yuta Tsuboi and Yeonwoo Park. For the background story of how Mio Ramen came to be, please read this article.

This Expo event was conducted in conjunction with the internship program held this summer in the Mio district of Mihama Town, Wakayama Prefecture, which was implemented by our university's Career Support Center. It also linked with activities from the seminars led by Professors Goto, Hirata, Hara, and Kawakami of the Global Tourism Department. Additionally, Nodoka Okada and Boonyakida Day Chanikarn from the Global Studies Department participated as interpreters.

Why “Mio Ramen” at the Canada Pavilion?
Actually, the Mio district has a history where many young people emigrated to Canada as migrant workers starting from the Meiji era. Even today, Japanese Canadians visit Mio to trace their ancestral roots. The region also hosts the Canada Museum as a hub preserving this history, keeping the connection between Mio and Canada alive.

Through our connection with Professor Sachiko Kawakami, who has researched this history of emigration from Mio, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies and Mihama Town has established a partnership agreement. “Mio Ramen” was born as part of the regional revitalization effort. This bowl, featuring Mio's local specialty, spiny lobster, was also enjoyed by Consul David Perdue of the Canadian Consulate in Nagoya during the limited time offering we had two years ago.

Furthermore, through the connection that the grandfather of Lisa Domae, President of our partner institution North Island College in Canada, was originally from Mio, we even served Mio Ramen in Canada last year. These ties between Mio, Canada, and Kyoto University of Foreign Studies led to this Expo event.

Expo Event Highlights
We held a talk event with students from Hidaka High School in Gobo City, adjacent to Mihama Town, followed by a Mio Ramen demonstration. We served a limited run of 300 sample bowls of Mio Ramen. For this special occasion, we used chashu pork made with “Canadian Pork.” Furthermore, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Professors Toshihiko Goto and Masayasu Hirata, and with the cooperation of the NPO Kyoto Take/Ryuiki Kankyo Net, we crafted and used bamboo cup holders made from bamboo harvested from Kyoto's abandoned bamboo forests. It was a day that truly embodied the connection between Mio, Kyoto, and Canada.

The event was successful, with over 200,000 visitors flocking to the Expo for the day! The venue filled up quickly, and we were able to introduce Mio Ramen to many people. Mio Ramen began with the desire to “increase the number of people interacting with the community of Mio” and to “strengthen our connection with Canada through its local emigration history.” It was a very special day where we could give shape to those aspirations.

Acknowledgements
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the many individuals who made this event possible. First and foremost, we sincerely thank Ms. Laurie Peters, Pavilion Commissioner General, Mr. Matt Fraser, Pavilion Deputy Commissioner General, who served as our host, and the entire Canadian Pavilion Culinary Team whose dedicated support made the event successful. Furthermore, We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to our coordinator, Ms. Jeanine Tartarian, who provided tremendous support on the operational side, and to Ms. Ngoc Thao Vy Hoang, who handled public relations and media for us.

From Mihama Town, the following individuals graciously attended: Mayor Miwako Yabuuchi, along with the former and current staff of the Bosai Machizukuri Mirai-ka of Mihama Town Hall; Mr. Ryosuke Oe, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the NPO Hinomisaki Americamura; Vice Chairman of the Board, Ms. Hifumi Ando; Director of the Canada Museum, Ms. Takae Mio; Mr. Kotaro Onoue, Manager of “Men to Mukatte Mio,” and Mr. Naoki Kidoji from Restaurant L'Albero. Their warm support was truly heartening.

Additionally, thanks to Mr. Atsushi Iwanaga, the generosity of Wakayama Prefecture's Expo Promotion Division and Hidaka Promotion Bureau, we received publicity support. We were also honored by visits from the mayor of neighboring Gobo City and some other local assembly members. From our campus also, we received support from faculty, staff, alumni, and students in the process of getting ready for this big event. It was only through everyone's support that we were able to hold this event successfully. Thank you all very much. We are planning to have a food stall on campus at the Gaidai Festival on November
2nd and 3rd! We'd be thrilled if you could come try Mio Ramen.

こんにちは！グローバル観光学科４年次生の岩本茉子です。今回は１年生の必修授業の中から「京都の文化と歴史I」と「観光学A」の２つをご紹介します。授業の内容や授業を通じて先生方が伝えたいこと、そして今年度に授業を受けた１年生にも感想を聞いてみたので、少しでも授業のイメージをお伝えできたら嬉しいです！

①「京都の文化と歴史I」：村山先生
◎授業内容
　京都の文化や歴史について概略的に説明する、いわゆる京都文化入門のような授業です。京都は伝統的な建築や祭り、文化、食などがたくさん身近にあるため、思い立てばいつでも見て、聞き、ふれることができる場所です。授業で学んだことを実際に経験してみると、理解もより深まります。また、まちを歩くだけでも不思議やワクワクがつまった京都について、興味をもつきっかけにもなると思います！そして、「京都の文化と歴史II」もあるため、長期的に京都について学んでいくこともできます。

◎先生が授業を通じて伝えたいこと
　京都を理解するための視点は、たくさんあるということに気づいてくれたら嬉しいです！

◎1年生に聞いてみました！
□楽しかったこと、おもしろかったこと
・京都の人のイメージや特徴などの講義がおもしろかったです
・お話を交えて京都の文化を聞くことが楽しかったです
・祇園祭に行ったこと
・おすすめのお店なども教えていただき、自分の知らないことを知れておもしろかったです。例えば、授業で紹介されていた水無月も実際に食べてみましたが、とても美味しかったです！

□学んだこと
・授業で得た知識をより自主的に学びたくなりました
・調べてもでてこない京都の文化も学ぶことができました

□授業を受けた後の変化
・京都には自分が想像していた以上に長い歴史があり、それを今も守り続けていることを知りました
・京都の美味しい店などいろいろ知ることができました
・授業をきっかけに京都のイメージが少し変わりました

②「観光学A」：原先生

◎授業内容
　1年生春学期の入門的科目として、観光現象や観光学の幅広さを理解してもらうため、多岐にわたる話題にふれることができます。例えば、観光現象の意義や広がり、観光に関わる用語、観光と歴史、観光と持続可能な開発や倫理、観光まちづくり、ニューツーリズム、観光ビジネス（旅行・宿泊・交通）の現状と課題などを学びます。

◎先生が授業を通じて伝えたいこと
　観光が社会の中での様々な要素と関わる複雑な幅広い現象である点や、今後のグローバルな社会において、さらに経済的・文化的に重要性を持つ現象である点を理解してもらい、各自の関心に応じて、その後の観光に関する学修を深めていってもらうきっかけにしてもらえればと考えています。また、受講生の皆さんに講義内容に関する発言を、マイクを使ってしていただきます。これは、積極的に物怖じせず自分の意見を伝えられる能動性や主体性が、今後のキャリア形成にとって重要と考え行っています。

◎ゲスト講義について
　今年度の授業では、西村屋さんの西村社長によるゲスト講義も実施されました。城崎温泉におけるリーディングカンパニーとして、自社の経営のみならず、教育や医療、交通インフラや観光を通したまちづくり全般について、中長期的かつ俯瞰的な視点で事業を展開しておられることをお話してくださいました。北但大震災から今年で100年の節目にあたり、城崎温泉の人々が協力しあいながら、これまでの街づくりを続けてこられたことや、今後に向けて様々な取り組みを積極的に進めておられる点も、受講生にとって印象的だったと思います。

◎1年生に聞いてみました！
□楽しかったこと、おもしろかったこと
・先生がマイクを回していくので、様々な人の意見やお話を聞くことができ楽しかったです
・グリーンツーリズムを授業で習い、自分の地元の観光産業についても考えるきっかけとなり、おもしろかったです

□学んだこと
・観光と経済、文化、まちづくり、SDGsとの関係や、地域に与える影響など多様な事を学ぶことができました
・観光学科に入ったならば、まずは自分の出身地である観光産業をみつめないといけないということを学びました

□授業を受けた後の変化
・観光についての視野が広がりました
・観光する時、楽しむだけでなく、ゴミの多さなど様々な視点から見るようになりました
・レポートもあるため、自ら知識を取り入れるきっかけにもなりました

□西村社長の講義の感想
・城崎温泉の歴史・文化と地域に根差した旅館経営が未来の観光の形にどうつながるかを学び、心のこもったおもてなしや持続可能なまちづくりに向けた理念と実践に深い感銘を受けました。
・地域の人との関わりがとても大切だと感じました。また、普段聞くことができないことも聞けて、良かったです
・先人の努力や知恵に感謝し、そこから危険なリスクを見つけ出し改善していく事や地域住民や地域を大切にし盛り上げていくことが、大切だと思いました。

私自身も授業を通じて、京都のおもしろさに興味をもち、観光が地域社会などに与える影響を考えるきっかけにもなりました。この他にも、学びにつながる授業や活動がたくさんあるので、今後も紹介していければと思います！最後に、授業紹介にあたりご協力いただきました村山先生、原先生、1年生の皆さんありがとうございました！

Hello! I’m Mako Iwamoto, a fourth-year student in the Department of Global Tourism. Today, I’d like to introduce two required first-year classes: “Kyoto Culture and History I” and “Tourism Studies A.” In this post, I’ll briefly cover (1) what each class is about, (2) what the professors hope students will take away, and (3) reflections from first-year students who took these classes this year. I hope this gives you a clear picture of the courses!

① “Kyoto Culture and History I” — Prof. Murayama
◎ Content
This class explores the culture and history of Kyoto—an introduction to Kyoto’s traditions. Kyoto surrounds us with living culture: historic buildings, festivals, food, and art. Because so much is close at hand, you can see, hear, and try things for yourself.

◎ What the Professor Wants Students to Take Away
“I’d be glad if you come to see that there are many ways to understand Kyoto!”

◎ First-Year Student Reflections
□ Fun and Interesting
I enjoyed the class about the image and character of Kyoto’s people. Hearing stories about Kyoto’s culture was engaging and memorable.
I went to the Gion Festival.I discovered shops I didn’t know. For example, I tried Minazuki after it was introduced in class—it was delicious!
□ What We Learned
The class made me want to study more about Kyoto on my own.
I learned about aspects of Kyoto’s culture I couldn’t have found just by searching online.
□ Changes After the Class
I learned that Kyoto’s history is much longer than I imagined, and people continue to preserve it today. I found many great places to eat in Kyoto. My image of Kyoto changed because of this class.

② “Tourism Studies A” — Prof. Hara
◎ Content
This is an introductory course for first-year students in the spring semester. It covers a wide range of topics so students can grasp the breadth of tourism studies: the meaning and spread of tourism, basic terminology, tourism and history, tourism and sustainable development and ethics, community development through tourism, new forms of tourism, and the current situation and issues facing the travel, hotel, and transportation sectors.

◎ What the Professor Wants Students to Take Away
“I hope students will understand that tourism is a wide and complex phenomenon connected with many parts of society. It’s also an important cultural and economic issue in today’s global world. This class gives students a chance to develop their own interests and continue studying tourism more deeply. In class, students are asked to use a microphone when speaking because sharing your opinion without fear is important for building your future career.”

◎ Guest Lecture
This year featured a guest lecture by the president of Nishimuraya, a leading company in Kinosaki Onsen. He spoke not only about company management but also about community development—education, health care, transportation, and tourism—from a long-term and broad perspective. As this year marks 100 years since the Great Hokutan Earthquake, students were impressed to hear how the people of Kinosaki Onsen worked together to rebuild and develop the town, and how they are now taking on new challenges for the future.

◎ First-Year Student Reflections
□ Fun and Interesting
It was enjoyable when the professor passed around a microphone, so we could hear many students’ opinions.
I learned about green tourism, which made me think about the tourism industry in my hometown.
□ What We Learned
We studied the connections between tourism and the economy, culture, community planning, the SDGs, and the impacts on local areas.
I realized that as a Tourism major, I should first examine the industry in my own hometown.
□ Changes After the Class
My view of tourism became broader.
When I travel now, I also notice other factors, such as the amount of waste.
The report assignment motivated me to study more on my own.
□ Reflections on the Guest Lecture by President Nishimura
I learned how the history and culture of Kinosaki Onsen and the local ryokan business connect to the future of tourism. I was deeply impressed by the spirit of hospitality and the efforts toward sustainable community development.I felt that connections with local people are very important. It was valuable to hear things we normally don’t hear.
I realized the importance of appreciating the efforts and wisdom of past generations, identifying risks and improving them, and cherishing the local community.

Through these classes, I also became more interested in Kyoto and started thinking about how tourism affects local communities. There are many other classes and activities that lead to new learning, and I look forward to introducing them next! Finally, my thanks to Professor Murayama, Professor Hara, and all the first-year students for their cooperation in introducing these classes!

Hello everyone. I am Nodoka Kawahara, a senior student in the Department of Global Tourism. This time I would like to introduce Ms. Akari Kajihara.

① Hometown
I am from Nagoya, Japan. I have a special attachment to Seattle, having spent precious time in Washington State in the U.S. during my student and working years.

② Why did you decide to study English?
It was a teacher at the English cram school I attended who gave me the opportunity to develop a yearning for America. At the time, I liked English but could not speak it very well. Through that teacher's introduction, I was given the opportunity to do a one-month homestay in the United States. I was very anxious and nervous about going abroad by myself for the first time, but I was able to experience a different lifestyle than in Japan. All the Americans I met were friendly and spoke to me, but I was frustrated because I could not speak as well as I wanted to. I still remember how I felt when I swore to myself, "I will definitely learn to speak English!" It was an invaluable experience that made me realize the significance of learning English.

③ Favorite things
I love Thai food so much that I could eat it every day. In Seattle, where I lived, there was a street that was said to have the most Thai restaurants in the United States. Even though I lived in the US for a long time, I was more excited about a Thai dish called “Pakki Mao” than hotdogs and pizza. I hope you will give it a try. My latest hobby is collecting Goshuin. A student gave me a Goshuin book as a gift, and I would like to fill up that book by visiting shrines and temples in Kyoto.

④ Student days
I tried many different things: classes, club activities, part-time jobs, volunteering, traveling abroad, and short-term study abroad. At an American university, preparation and review for classes were important, so I worked on assignments almost all the time during the semester. There were days when I had two to three hours of sleep. I did not want to use “being an international student” as a reason to attend an American university, so I am confident that I took the classes seriously enough to be able to say what classes I was taking and all of them. All of my classes were very interesting. I was able to enjoy my time off as well.

⑤ Specialized field
My research specialty is cognitive training called Cog-Tr. Cog-Tr is a training developed for people who need assistance. I believe that special support is effective for all people. I am researching the application of English Cog-Tr to university students to develop both cognitive function and English language skills. I am also promoting the use of Cog-Tt to support children and students whose native language is not Japanese.

⑥ How you became interested in your field of study
In the U.S., I majored in education and took a program that took me to a juvenile reformatory for lectures. Juvenile training schools in the U.S. offer educational programs where students can earn high school and college credits. When I returned to Japan and heard Dr. Miyaguchi's lecture, I felt that Cog-Tr could be effective for the children and students in the educational settings I had encountered, which is what made me want to start my research. I hope to provide opportunities for many people to utilize Cog-Tr in the future. For more information about Cog-Tr, please read "The Boys Who Couldn't Cut the Cake.”

⑦ Message to students
The world we usually live in is actually very small. That is why I want you to step out of your comfort zone and look at a different world. Of course, there is fear and anxiety about something you have no experience with. I still vividly remember how anxious I was when I went to the U.S. for the first time. But that one thing I was not sure if I would have been able to make it through. But the courage it took to take that first step was an invaluable experience. You can't take that first step unless you are the one to take it. So have the courage to try something new. Going home by a different road than usual is also an admirable step. You will surely discover something new.

Also, while you are still a student, please learn about your “roots,” where you came from and what kind of person you are. Recognizing your roots will lead to the ability to be active globally in the future. Since I am from outside of Kyoto, I would like to discover the many good qualities of Kyoto from an outside perspective. I am also attracted to the culture and perspectives of everyone who studies at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, so please let me know.

It was a very enjoyable time for me to listen to the professor's experiences. Thank you very much, Prof. Kajihara.